Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey shared a record 212-run stand for the sixth wicket as Australia defeated England by three wickets to win the ODI series 2-1 in Old Trafford.
Australia were in the doldrums at 73/5 in their chase of 303. For the second time in the match, it looked like they had let England take the initiative after Mitchell Starc had struck twice in the first over of the match. However, Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey had other ideas. Maxwell and Carey buckled down and smashed centuries. Their 212-run record stand for the sixth wicket got Australia close. However, when both Carey and Maxwell fell in quick succession, it seemed the game was sealed for England. With 10 needed off the last over, Eoin Morgan made a blunder as he handed it to Adil Rashid, the legspinner. Starc smashed a six and a four to give Australia victory by three wickets in the third and final ODI to take the ODI series 2-1.
The chase was reminiscent of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif’s heist in the 2002 Natwest Trophy final when India, reeling at 126/5 in a pursuit of 326, were boosted by a partnership of over 100 between Yuvraj and Kaif as they won the title in dramatic circumstances. This series win for Australia ended England’s dominance of 13 consecutive series wins at home.
The Big ‘Carey’ Show
Australia were looking down and out at 73/5, with Chris Woakes striking twice by removing Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis. Marnus Labuschagne was run-out while Joe Root removed David Warner and Mitchell Marsh. But, Maxwell had other ideas. He got going with a massive six off Jofra Archer. Maxwell was the aggressor while Carey dropped anchor.
Maxwell hit another six, this time off Root as the partnership crossed fifty. Carey showed some aggression with a slog sweep off Rashid for a six while Maxwell neared his fifty with another six off Tom Curran. Carey reached his fifty first while Maxwell notched up his half-century with a six off Rashid.
England were starting to sweat as Australia turned the course of the match. Maxwell kept hitting sixes at will. Carey and Maxwell kept the scoreboard ticking consistently and Maxwell notched up his century with a huge six off Curran while Carey smashed a six and a single off Woakes to notch up his hundred.
England had a chance when Rashid dismissed Maxwell for 108 while Carey fell to Archer thanks to a fine catch by Mark Wood. However, Morgan’s misjudgment allowed Australia to cross the line and it was a missed chance after Jonny Bairstow’s hundred gave England a good total to defend.
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England made a disastrous start as they lost Jason Roy and Joe Root in the first two balls of the match to Mitchell Starc but Jonny Bairstow showed his class. He dispatched two boundaries off Starc while skipper Morgan gave him good company. Bairstow showed his class with a six and a four off Pat Cummins as the partnership sailed past fifty.
However, Adam Zampa accounted for Morgan but Bairstow went past his fifty. Jos Buttler struggled and he was dismissed by Zampa. Bairstow continued in fine style and he was given good support by Sam Billings. After a quiet couple of overs, Billings broke the shackles with two sixes off Starc and he notched up his fifty with two fours off Zampa. Bairstow notched up his 10th century with a whipped six off Cummins but just as the partnership looked threatening, Zampa dismissed Billings for 57.
England were jolted in the death overs when Bairstow fell to Cummins for 112. However, Woakes showed his class as he smashed boundaries at will to help England cross 300. His 14th fifty gave England a chance but unfortunately, it was not enough as they suffered their first series loss at home since 2015.
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 "Glenn Maxwell Alex Carey Australia")
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